QNAP is finally following TerraMaster and ASUSTOR in launching new Intel-powered NAS for serious NAS fans. The QNAP TS-hx74 series includes the QNAP TVS-h474, TVS-h674, and finally the TVS-h874. If you’ve been holding out for an Intel-powered NAS to run Plex Media Server and prefer QNAP’s enclosure configuration with HDMI ports and powerful internals, this refreshed series will be right up your street.
The QNAP TVS series of NAS enclosures have always been a little ahead of the game when it comes to components and performance. The QNAP TVS-672X is rated as our best NAS for Plex for a very good reason. It packs an Intel Core i3 processor that offers an amazing amount of computing power for transcoding 4K media and running other NAS tasks and services. The QNAP TVS-hx74 successors are set to perform even better.
As far as we can tell, this new family of enclosures will be the very first to utilize 12th Gen Intel processors. Sure, 13th Gen chips are just around the corner and will likely yield better performance at a similar power draw, but compared to vastly outdated processors one is able to choose in NAS enclosures (like the superb QNAP TVS-672X), the 12th Gen series will offer a colossal uplift in performance.
And we’re not just talking about the Pentium and Core i3 family SKUs either. QNAP selected Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 processors, so there’s truly a choice for everyone. The Intel chips bring with them support for PCIe 4×4 M.2 NVMe SSDs and PCIe Gen 4 x16 expansion slots. This opens up GPU card support, DDR4 ECC memory, and up to 10Gb networking ports.
| QNAP TVS-h474 | QNAP TVS-h674 | QNAP TVS-h874 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Pentium Gold G7400 | Intel Core i5-12400 Intel Core i3-12100 | Intel Core i9-12900 Intel Core i7-12700 Intel Core i5-12400 |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 710 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 Intel UHD Graphics 730 | Intel UHD Graphics 770 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 (max 128GB) | 16GB, 32GB DDR4 (max 128GB) | 32GB, 64GB DDR4 (max 128GB) |
| Drive bays | 4 (2.5-inch, 3.5-inch) | 6 (2.5-inch, 3.5-inch) | 8 (2.5-inch, 3.5-inch) |
| M.2 slots | 2 (Gen 3×4) | 2 (Gen 4×4) | 2 (Gen 4×4) |
| Expansion | 2x PCIe (Gen 4×16) 2x TL-D1600S 2x TL-D800S 2x TL-D800C 2x TL-D400S 2x TR-004 2x TR-002 | 2x PCIe (Gen 4×16) 2x TL-D1600S 2x TL-D800S 2x TL-D800C 2x TL-D400S 2x TR-004 2x TR-002 | 2x PCIe (Gen 4×16) 2x TL-D1600S 2x TL-D800S 2x TL-D800C 2x TL-D400S 2x TR-004 2x TR-002 |
| Ports | 2x 2.5Gb LAN 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | 2x 2.5Gb LAN 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | 2x 2.5Gb LAN (10Gb Core i9 only) 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Fans | 1x 120mm 1x 60mm 1x PSU | 2x 92mm 1x 60mm 1x PSU | 2x 92mm 1x 60mm 1x PSU |
| Dimensions | 188.2 x 199.3 x 279.6 mm | 188.2 x 264.3 x 279.6 mm | 188.2 x 329.3 x 279.6 mm |
| Weight | – | 6.5kg | 7.06kg |
| Power | – | ~45.6W | ~65.03W |
| Price | $1,199 | $1,699 (Core i3) $1,799 (Core i5) | $1,999 (Core i5) |
As you can see from the above table, the specifications are impressive across the board. Interestingly, the weight and power consumption for the TVS-h474 aren’t listed on the QNAP website, nor are any pricing details for any of the three NAS enclosures. The launch isn’t too far off so we should see confirmation arrive shortly.
The move to 12th Gen Intel and PCIe Gen 4 is a huge step forward for those who wish to make use of a speedier storage medium and optional expansion cards. With these faster slots, it should be possible to comfortably use QNAP’s QM2-2P410G2T network card with two 10Gb ports and M.2 slots. And since there are two PCIe slots available, even the base QNAP TVS-h474 can be kitted out with some serious firepower.
PCIe 4.0 slots is a big win for QNAP here to differentiate itself from the recently released NAS from TerraMaster and ASUSTOR, though these NAS won’t be anywhere near as affordable. The HDMI 1.4b is a little odd considering we’re in 2022 and ASUSTOR included HDMI 2.0b, but it’s still good to have as a rear port for hooking up your TV directly.
We’ll confirm details when they arrive for availability and pricing!